3-017-036 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Prince of Wales at the Apposition of St. Paul's School, on Wednesday, June 15, 1864. 'The public distribution of prizes and recital of speeches at St. Paul's School [in London] was honoured with the presence of the Prince of Wales (future King Edward VII). His Royal Highness, accompanied by the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe, General Knollys, and Colonel Keppel...[was] received by the High Master, the Rev. Dr. Kynaston, and by the Master and Wardens of the Mercers' Company...When the Prince entered he was loudly cheered by the boys and men; the ladies, too, rose in token of welcome. He was conducted to a magnificent chair of state...The proceedings opened with the recital of an English version of an ode in commemoration of the founder, written by Dr. Kynaston...[After the prize-giving, the] Prince asked a holiday for the boys, but was told that, by the ancient laws of the school, this boon could only be granted at the request of the reigning Sovereign, or of some one of the Bishops; whereupon the seven right reverend prelates in company, by the mouthpiece of the Archbishop of York, claimed each his day, and so obtained for the school a vacation of an entire week'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.